COVINGTON, Ga. - Newton County School System (NCSS) is pleased to announce 83 students have earned Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on AP exams during the 2016-2017 school year.
The College Board’s AP Program provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school, and to earn college credit, advanced placement or both for successful performance on the AP Exams.
The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on student’s performance on AP Exams.
AP Scholar with Distinction Award
Thirteen NCSS students qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. These students are:
- Eastside High: Class of 2017—Katie Beth Fowler, Will Gregory, Miranda Hopper, Brigit Joyce, Matt Malcom, Will Shelton and Taylor Wilson; and Class of 2018—Courtney Britt, Molly Carter, Cole Grady, Sara Ann Hutchinson, and Alyssa McCart.
- Newton High: Class of 2018—Louis Grady
AP Scholar with Honor Award
Eighteen NCSS students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. These students include:
- Alcovy High: Class of 2018—Elizabeth Baker, Seth Carpenter (STEM Institute), and Daphne Ramirez; and Class of 2019—Taylor Thomas.
- Eastside High: Class of 2017—Tyler Darby (NCCA STEM Institute), Brendan Everling, Evan Gravitt, Mackenzie Mallard, Mary Grace Schlueter, and Trevor Underwood; and Class of 2018—Tristan Chambers, Tyler Davis, Andy Li, Carter Malcolm, Savannah Miller, and Wesley Rains.
- Newton High: Class of 2017—Kaylen Jackson; and Class of 2018—Kiara Cannon
AP Scholar Award
Fifty-six NCSS students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with scores of 3 or higher. These AP Scholars include:
- Alcovy High: Class of 2017—Sarah Barrentine (STEM Institute), Samantha Bonnett, Emily Cudzilo, Jarrett Dobbins, Jared Griggs, and Cheyenne Huggins; and Class of 2018—Cedric Benton, Dorothy Bryans, James Cato (STEM Institute), Walker Edmondson, and Glennessa Hodge.
- Eastside High: Class of 2017—Shawn Bailey, Isabella Booth (STEM Institute), Eavan Davis, Coley Edwards, Roman Hembree, Austin Holloway, Ethan Holmes, Alyssa-Dean Huie (STEM Institute) Amanda Jones, Graham Langford, Billy Love, Milan Macek (STEM Institute), Madison McCrorey (STEM Institute), Kelly Ann McDonald, Lila McGiboney, and Madison Wells; Class of 2018—Brooks Benton (STEM Institute), Chase Bohne, Ralph Brown (STEM Institute), Zach Glover, Logan Hartzell (STEM Institute), Camille Hay, Clay Jones, Gabrielle Lyons, Gabrielle Martin, Georgia Matheson, Anthony McAuliffe, Ryan McCullough, Gracie Miller (STEM Institute), Isabelle Rogers, Ryan Shirley, Jill Strickland, and Isaac Ugan; and Class of 2019—Jackson Grady.
- Newton High: Class of 2017—Brian Badillo (STEM Institute), Molly Cady, Julia McCartney, Jayla Porter, and Amari Young; Class of 2018—Jessica Books (STEM Institute), Anthony Fiddes (STEM Institute), Alexander Lowe (STEM Institute), Casey Roberson, and Payton Thompson; and Class of 2019—Nala McCamy.
Those students still currently enrolled in high school have this school year in which to complete additional college-level work and possibly earn a higher-level AP Scholar Award.
“Advanced Placement classes are more difficult than standard classes as they necessitate high-level calculating and critical thinking skills required of college students,” Dr. Nikkita Warfield, NCSS director of secondary education, said. “Exposure to AP classes in high school helps prepare students to better handle the rigors of college-level studies. It is exciting to see so many of our students enrolling in these rigorous courses, as it indicates that they are committed to extending themselves now, in high school, so they are better prepared and more likely to succeed when they get to college.
“We have excellent AP teachers who are preparing our students for college through daily exposure to high-level teaching strategies and rigorous coursework. Our AP scholars, as well as their teachers, should be very proud of this accomplishment. We have focused on college and career readiness across all grade levels and this is the result. Our students are earning national recognition as AP scholars, but more importantly, they are leaving our high schools better prepared to succeed in college.”
“I am very proud of these students,” NCSS Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey said. “They have not only challenged themselves by enrolling in these very rigorous AP courses but they have also excelled in them. Attaining AP Scholar designation is no easy feat as these are college-level courses. To have 83 NCSS students named AP Scholars is a testament to the students’ commitment to their studies and their teachers’ dedication to providing rigorous instruction with high expectations in the classroom each and every day.”
Through 34 different college level courses and exams, AP provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit or advanced placement and stand out in the college admission process. Each exam is developed by a committee of college and university faculty and AP teachers, ensuring that AP Exams are aligned with the same high standards expected by college faculty at some of the nation’s leading liberal arts and research institutions. More than 3,800 colleges and universities annually receive AP scores. Most four-year colleges in the United States provide credit and/or advanced placement for qualifying exam scores. Research consistently shows that AP students who score a 3 or higher on AP Exams (based on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest) typically experience greater academic success in college and have higher college graduation rates than students who do not participate in AP.
The College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of over 6,000 of the world’s leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education.
Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success—including SAT and the Advanced Placement Program. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools.
